Plans for bigger mosque in Tividale raise eyebrows over parking

A planning application submitted to Sandwell Council asks for permission to extend the existing Tividale Mosque in Gate Street, with a new two-storey mosque.

A former chapel, which had been converted into offices, would be demolished to make way for the new mosque.

The application asks for permission to demolish the neighbouring former Burnt Tree Methodist Church and build ‘single and two-storey extensions’ to the existing mosque.

However, the ‘extension’ includes a new two-storey mosque, which features a dome and minarets, would more than triple the amount of floorspace to 1,280 square metres.

The plans have also raised eyebrows at Sandwell Council due to its lack of parking spaces.

Sandwell Council has already said the mosque would need at least 113 parking spaces due to its size, yet only 15 spaces have been proposed.

A response by highways officers said they would not be supporting the application in its current state due to a lack of information and for a proposed lack of parking spaces.

The council said more information would be required over the number of worshippers, and how they travelled to the mosque, peak prayer times as well as the existing provision and the likely demand for parking spaces.

The response said: “As an initial start point, due to the lack of information provided, based on similar applications prior, this development would require around 113 parking spaces.

“The proposed plan shows 15 spaces, this equates to a 13% parking provision which is not acceptable.

“The site is in a residential area with minimal off-street parking provision therefore the applicant should not rely on this.”

A plan to demolish the former church to make way for new homes was approved by Sandwell Council in 2022.

The application would have seen the Hopkins Street building replaced with four two-bed homes.